PUTTIN’ THAT SMACKDOWN…What Happened Last (Tuesday) Night [May 14th, 2015]

When it comes to this week’s Smackdown, I went in with only the spoilers and wasn’t expecting to be impressed yet, I have to say that I was quite pleasantly surprised.  The content wasn’t exactly spectacular but it was presented well and most importantly, it was very entertaining.  They also have been playing around with the format, which is nothing but an improvement because We the Audience have been quite bored for some time.  And though there were some rehashings, this episode was all in all a raucous good time that doesn’t so much whet our appetites for Payback but stirs up our curiosity to the point that we’ll probably watch just to see what happens.

Evansville, Indiana plays host to Smackdown this week and it appears to be business as usual until the opening theme is so rudely interrupted by Bray Wyatt.  He has a message for Ryback.  Workout all you want.   No matter how greatly your muscles bulge, you’ll still bow down to Fear.  The Fear I create…cannot be beaten with mortal hands.  The Fear I create…can crush any soul…And soon, dear Ryback will bear witness to the Fear that only I...can create… Well, all right then.  We then return to our “regularly scheduled programming” as Dean Ambrose makes his way down the ramp and into the ring.  He has some things to say about how RAW ended this week.  You know, I’m not a flashy guy, he begins.  I got no bells, no whistles just these fists, these feet and a boatload of crazy.  Now, Roman Reigns and I have been through a lot.  I’d like to say we have an understanding but there’s only one thing he has to understand about Monday night…I’m not apologizing.  On that note, we hear the Roman Reigns’ adopted theme and he casually makes his way down to the ring to face Ambrose.  Not too surprisingly, Reigns is cool.  You know, I’m not even mad at what you did on Monday.  You and I both know what’s on the line and you did what you had to do.  That being said, you’ll understand what I’ll have to do at Payback.  Rollins is at the top of my “Shit List” so, if I have to go through you to do what I have to do, then that’s what’s gonna happen.  Reigns keeps it above board and offers his hand as a show of good sportsmanship but Dad (Kane) interrupts the "little talk" these 2 are having.  Well, it’s so nice the 2 of you have such a strong relationship.  Get the feeling Dean’s gonna take you out to dinner afterwards to smooth over any remaining bad feelings.  You just remember that it’s every man for himself come Sunday.  There may be no place for “brotherly love” once the match starts.  Ambrose snidely replies, Yeah well you just get your resume ready, Pops.  Well, while I still have power, why don’t we have ourselves a match?  Dad replies.  How’s about you and Sheamus have at for a bit.  How’s that for business? 

As many of you know, there’s a side stipulation to the Payback main event.  If Seth Rollins doesn’t retain the title, then Dad’s out of a job.  Fair I know, but where else would we get some added drama?  As for the opening, it wasn’t bad at all.  It’s nice to see that Roman Reigns is finding his stride on the mic as well.  It didn’t come off cheesy and I couldn’t see the words on the page.  The improvement continues.  Didn’t I say it was only a matter of time?  Regardless, haters are gonna hate but it appears that We the Audience are slowly growing to accept Roman Reigns.  I’m curious to see how he evolves.

Anyway, Sheamus presents himself and engages in a standard battle with Dean Ambrose.  I call it “standard” because it wasn’t mediocre but certainly not a great match.  I would say it would serve as a great “example match”.   Think of it as if someone were new to professional wrestling, someone else could use this match to introduce that newbie.   It would be a good representation of what one would see on a Monday or Thursday night.   These 2 don’t mind going at it and go at it they do.  Their styles are a bit of a mismatch and it seems like that fact alone makes it hard for these guys to comfortably land their moves.   Sheamus tries a few times to land a Brogue Kick but Ambrose proves wily.   He’ll also take whatever hit he can connect with and apparently uses his best asset to keep this match going, "crazy".   These guys work up some momentum towards the end and with Ambrose bouncing off ropes and just being plain “nutz”; Sheamus gets lost in the action and takes a tumble into a ringpost, allowing Ambrose to roll him up for the win.

To follow, Seth Rollins and Ryback have a dance but not before Bray Wyatt asks to cut in first.   As Ryback makes his way to the ring, Wyatt checks him into one of the side barricades completely rocking Ryback’s dome.   Nevertheless, Ryback feels he can continue his match.  Rollins really turns up the heel charm during this one.  Ryback gets into the ring and the match starts but he's obviously still woozy.  He tries to shake it off, though and as the referee checks on him Rollins is all, What’s the hold up!  He was such a dick.  J&J Security helped with that too by taking their shots whenever they could.  Ryback staggers through but Rollins manages to land some kicks to Ryback’s already rocked noggin’ and takes the win.

We then have a match that may be given more of a chance in the future with Tyson Kidd and Kofi Kingston of the New Day in Singles action.  With these 2 being so spry,  a good match could certainly be had but for now, they simply move their minor feud along.   It’s a good showing nonetheless.  These highfliers do just that and after flips and kicks, Kidd locks Kingston up in The SharpShooter for the win.

After that, Bo Dallas comes out to remind us that Daniel Bryan may be a great wrestler but there are some things we just aren’t accepting.  He hates to break it to us but we’re in denial, the first stage of Grief.  We just can’t see that Bryan is no good as a wrestler.  Not because he lacks skill, he’s just not built for it.  Maybe if he were made of sturdier stuff, he could make it work but, what good is a wrestler if he can’t wrestle?  Hmm, food for thought but don’t worry!  Because all you have to do is Bo-lieve!  We collectively roll Our eyes and Neville comes out to get them straight again.  “King Barrett” sits in on Commentary as well to keep us thinking of Payback.  Neville doesn't need much time.  He takes care of Dallas in swift fashion, ending as per usual with The Red Arrow.

That leaves the main event, which actually lived up to its placement.  This was actually a lot of fun.  It wasn’t a match per se, which is completely to be expected, but it was a complete and thorough beatdown on both sides, as should be the case.  Yes, Dad doesn’t get the win in this No-DQ match but he certainly makes it look like he could have, which appeases me somewhat.  Dad did not hold back and he shouldn’t.   The way the match went, he still looked like the intimidating figure he’s supposed to be and is.  He manhandles Reigns.  Beat him with “steel” steps, ringposts, kendo sticks, announce tables, barricades, anything that hurts he either used on Reigns or threw him into it.  I loved it!  Of course, Reigns doesn’t take all this lying down.  He jumps up and shows Dad the business end of his shoes, drops forearms from up top, shows him some of the ringposts and some kendo sticks too.  After a while, it comes to the tables and as Reigns attempts one of his Superman Punches, Dad catches him by the throat and Chokeslams him through the table.  Dad goes down for the pin but Reigns kicks out.  There happens to be another table propped up against the turnbuckle across the ring and in the go-round to follow, Dad gets a solid Spear into it and that’s all Dad’s got. 

I was honestly surprised at how much fun this match was.  They were just going at it from start to finish and that’s fine by me.  Why we’re all here if I’m not mistaken.  It was a good showing and the most exciting match of the night.   And that’s not all!  Backstage, Renée Young is interviewing Seth Rollins but she doesn’t get too far because Dean Ambrose has found some butter cookies.  Rollins isn’t hungry but it doesn’t matter, Ambrose wasn’t gonna give him one anyway and before you know it, Renée has to take cover as Ambrose and Rollins go for it.  It goes to shit fast but it looks like Reigns' “Spider Sense” goes off and he barrels in to the rescue with some sort of cart.  Rollins is left on the ground and so is the title belt.  Ambrose and Reigns share a “tense” moment.  Reigns opts to be the better man and offers his hand.  Ambrose starts to punk him out but relents.  He opts for the belt and leaves it on Reigns’ shoulder.   Well Enthusiasts, I’m sure the “sus-itude” was not lost in this episode.  We do have to acknowledge the Other Audience from time to time, no matter how thinly or heavily veiled (^_~)  Yet, it was mixed in with some adequate drama that does lead us to at least stroke our chins as to how it will play out and with May being free again, we might as well see.

See You Sunday,

-Nicole Alexis.